of chicago



l.. ERICKSON.

MEASURED SRVICE TELPHNE SYSTEM.

.7m/anim" fra .'scrbcrs substation either on i UNITED 'STATES PATENT oEEioE.

tous, EnIcxsoN,

OF CHICAGO. ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO AUTOKATIC ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

HEASURED-SEBVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Jouer Eaxcnson, a citizen of the United States of America, and a residentV of Chica Cook county, and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Measured-Service Telephone' S stems, of which the followingd is a speci cation.

y invention relates in general to measured service systems and particularly to nieter control circuits for use in automatic telephone systems.

More specifically my invention provides an improved metering arrangement which is especially adapted to be placed at a suba single or polystation line, and which involves certain novel and highly useful features which will be ointed out and described hereinafter.

y invention in this application is somewhat similar to that shown in my prior application Serial No. V181,727 tiled July 20, 1917, theapparatus and circuits ing therefrom in certain details and methods of operation as will be pointed out.

Referring to the drawing, I have shown a substation 1n preferred form, ther with a gmentary showing1 of certain exchange circuits to more el r show the operatic of the meterat said su tation.

More in detail a complete substation A is shown-at the left of the ligure, the wipers onl of aline or selector switch are shown at while only the essential Iparte of a connector switch are shown at namely, the line and back bridge relays and the wipers, a subseribers line is shown accessible to the connector switch D and a substation B is shown connected thereto. A meter M is associated with the substation A.

The substation A may be of known common battery type any Awell the nsnal receiver 2, transmitter 3, switch. hook 4, ringer 5, and condenser 6. Being an automatic substation there is also provided a calling device or impulse sender C. D. of which only the im `ulse springs 'IV and B and the shunt springs and 10 are shown. This calling device may be of. th type in which the impulse springs are through the. medium of a nger hole dial to produce seriesof interruptions in the line circuit in accordance with the digits of the Speclcatlon o! Lettera Patent. Application aledrneaember 94. 1917, Serial 10.313.054.

dill'erand comprises controlled Patented Sept. 23, 1919.

called number. Referencebeing had British patent to Dicker,'No. 29,654 of 1910.

The meter M associated with the substation A com rises a polarized controlling rclay 11, anv a push button 12, which controls the arm 13 and its upright arm 14 to prepare the meter for operation and o crates the springs 15-18 inclusive. T e meter may be of any ordinary forni, com prisng a series of number wheels, which are adapted to re calls. he functions of the various elements will be fully explained hereinafter.

The two line conductors 19 and 20 extend from the substation A to the exchange where they terminate in the wipers of an individual switch C of which only the two lines wipers are shown. For the sake of simplicity, I have'shown the line switch C as having direct access to connector switches D, although it will be understood that selector switches of the usual type may be interposed according to the size of the exchange. The connector D, may also be of any approved type, its most essential characteristie being e provision of means whereby, upon the response of a called subscriber, the incom lineconductors are reversed as regards eir connection with the windings of the line relay to thereby reverse the direction of the current flow in the calling line. Thus the line conductors 19 and 20 before terminating in the windings of the line relay 21, throufh springs of a ba bridge re ay 22. Switches of suitable construction may be found in U. S. Letters Patent to Newforth, Reissue No. 13,901. The substation A is one of the several stations on a ystaticn line and it will be understood therefore that in addtion to the substation A a number of other substatons may be connected in bridge of the line conductors 19 and 20.

Having given abrief description of the apparatus involved, I will now ex lain in detail the inode of operation. ie subscriber at A desiring to establish a connection with the subscriber at substation B, ist presses the button 12 and then removes his mceiver, thereby closing the line circuit throu the switch hook springs 28 and 27. As the line of substation is a party line, it is important that the subscriber be first `ster the total number of to the the reversing allowed to listen in by simply removing his receiver without giving his meter a chance to'operate because of an answered call having been set up by another subscriber on the same line.

By pressin the button 12, a high rcsistance 24 is inc uded in the line circuit by the separation of the sprin 15 and 10, which are operated by the bus lin 20. When the receiver is now removed, t 1e listen in circuit may be traced from the line conductor 19, switch hook springs 28 and 27, receiver 2, transmitter 3, polarized rela 11 and noninductive resistance 23 in para lel, resistance 24 and sprin 7 and 8 to the line conductor 20. The reslstance 24 may be of such high resistance (5000 ohnls or more that the current llowing in the line circuit at this time will not be strong enough to operate the polarized relay 11. At the time the button 12 was depressed to listen in, the arm 13 andits associated arm 14 were pressed to the right, at the limit of its motion, three results occur, namely, the right hand end of the arm 13 falls behind the next tooth of the ratchet wheel 30, the springs 17 and 18 are opened and the upper end of the arm 14 falls behind the tooth on the under side of the arnmture 25. As soon as the arm 14 locksy behind the armature 25, the arm 13 passes out of operative en agement with the push button 12, so that t le subscriber cannot by holding the button depressed prevent. the op- Y eration of the number wheels. The separation of the springs 17 and 18 removes the short circuit which normally existed about the calling device springs 7 and 8. Should the calling subscriber find that another conversation 1s taking place at this time, he will first hang up his receiver and then restore the button 12 to normal. The restoration of the button 12 simply'closes the shunt circuit about the resistance 24, and leaves the arms 13 and 14 in their advanced position.

Should the subscriber have found the line idle, he Awould simply restore the button 12 to short circuit the resistance 24. The short circuiting of the resistance 24 at this time, causes the usual o ration of the line switch C to extend the ine conductors 19 and 20 to an idle connector switch D. The circuit for operating the line switch may be traced from the llne conductor 19 through the springs 28 and 27, receiver 2, transmitter 3` po arizrd relay 11 and non-inductive resistance 23 in parallel, s rings 15 and 16, springs B and 7 of the ca lin device C. D. o the line conductor 20. A circuit will now be closed from battery through the upper winding of the line relav 21 of the connector D over the above traced circuit through the substation A and back over the other side of the line and through the lower winding i of the relay 21 to ground. The currenbin this circuit is of such a direction as to malndiuln of the usual automatic ringing equip-I ment. of such a connector and the ringer 31 atI substation B. During the operation of the calling device C. D. the s )rings 9 and 10 are maintained in contact, thereby short circuiting the olarized relay 11, the transmitter 3, and t e receiver 2, in order to revent annoyance to the subscriber, enlise by the interruptions of the lille circuit. The subscriber at substation B upon hearing the slgnah removes his receiver to answer the call, at which time a circuit is closed for the back bridge. relay 22, which extends fronl battery through the upper winding of said relay to and-through the transmitter and re-` ceiver of the substation B and back over the other side of the lille and through the lower winding of said relay to ground. The rela y 22 energizcs over this circuit and operates to reverse the connections of the line relay 21 with regard to the line conductors 19 and 20, thereby reversing the direction ofthe current flow over said line conductors and through the talking equi nlent of the substation A and the olarize relay 11 in series. This reversal o current through the polarized relay 11 causes the arm 25 to be attracted toward the upper pole of said relay. This operation of the relay 11, unlocks the arms 14 and 13 and allows said arms to be returned-to their normal position through the medium of the spring 32. The retracting luoverrent of the arm 13 causesthe ratchet wheel 30.to be advanced one step and again closes the contact of the springs 17 and 18. The wheel lillk o )crates the Well known number wheels of t e meter to register the call, and the springs 17 and 18 in restore the short circuit about the sprlngs of the calling device C. D. The subscribers may now carry on the conversation over the heavy conductors, and when the conversation is completed, the subscriberat substation A releases all the apparatus to normal by hanging up his receiver 2 and thereby openingthe linecircuit at the springs 28 and 27.

It will be seen therefore, that I have provided a very simple and hi hly eflcient meter arrangement for use wit i polystation lines in which the subscriber must first dealreadyfinus; and also .to renderhis call ing devicebperative by removing ashort circuit therefrom. Means has also been pro vided for. preventing a subscriber from hold ing lthe push'button prevent the proper, operation of his meter, that is, the meter operating arm-13' asses out from under the control of the pus but; ton as soon as the button has been pressed and also the push button must be released in order to relnove the short circuit from the liigli resistance 9.4 before the switches-can be. 4opel-ated to set up a connection. -Having described my invention, whatjI consider to be new and desire to have pro'- tectcd by Letters 'Fat-'mt will be pointed out inthe appended claims. l lVhat I claim as my -ivention is: l. In a telephone substation, the combination with talking equipment and suitable circuits therefor, of a meter, mechanical means for Operating said meter normally inoperative to operate said meter, a. push' butJ toi'i'lfor bringing said means into operative engagement with said `meter, a magnet for controlling saidmeans to operate said meter; means whereby a'subscri'ber may extend connection from said substation to a called line, means for preventing asubscriber from extending a. connection until said push but` ton is operated, the operation of said magnet controlled by the called subscriber.

Q. In a telephone substation, the combination with talklng equipment and suitable ciri cuits therefor .of a meter, mechanical means for operating said meter normally inoperative to operate said meter, a push button for bringing said means into operative engage nient with said meter. a magnet for controlling said means to operate said meter, means for extending a connection from said substation to a called line. means for preventing a subscriber from extending a connection unless said push button is operated,and means controlled b v the called subscriber for operating said magnet to operate said means.

3. In a telephone substation, the combination with talking equipment and suitable circuits therefor. of a meter. mechanical means for operating said meter normally inoperative to operate lsaid meter. a push button for bringing said means into operative engagement with said meter. a magnet for controlling said means to operate said meter, means whereby a subscriber may extend a connection from said substation to a called line, means for preventing a subscriber from extending a connection until said push button is operated. and means controlled by the called subscriber for operating said magnet to operate said meansto thereby operate said meter to register the call.

4. ln a telephone system. the combination with talking equipment and suitable circuits therefor. of a meter, mechanical means `depressed in order to J foroperating said meterA normally in opera-L tive -to Eotnperat'e' sai-d meter, a push button for bringing said f means finto 1 operative 'engage'- menafwith -saidfnreteri magnet rencontraili'ng saidmeanstojfoperate the-meter, means for extending afconndctinifrm said Y'substationzm nicalled line; anahsefor preventing asilbscrberrom:operating said last means to extend a connection until said push button is opcrated,and means for thereafter operating said `magnet to operate said means.

5'.' .In a telephone system, the' combination ivithitalltingfequipment and siiitab-le circuits the'icfoit'mf iwmet'er, mechanical inea'n's for operating' sttiihmeter nth-malty' inoperative t s'bp'eratet 'saidy meter,= a push fbutton for bringing' 'said inea' ns intoif operative" engi'igenient "'w ith said taeter, a magnet for controlling-'said Ameans to Yoperate lthe meter, means for extendingreconnection from vsaid 'substation to a'called linc.means for preventing a subscriberfrom operatin said last means tro' extentie acari-victime anti -saidpush 'button' is'operiitet'hand means lcxmtrolled liy"the called siibsbriber Afor thereafter operating saar maratea fai apelante-aid means l cle.maintiennentsystmagfinefccinb'inaticn ivi tl'i italltii'ig eqnip'ment -'a`n`d suitable circu it's therefor, of a meter, mechanical means for operating said meter normally inoperative to operate said meter, a push button for' bring ing siiidnieans in to operative'engagement ivth; said meter, 'a i magnetj f for1 controlling saitlj'ineans te*Seperatethe5 liietirgv'meaus for extending#reconnection friim'fs'aid substation to a called line, means for preventing a subscriber from operating said last means to extend a connection until said push button is operated, and means for thereafter operating said magnet to operate said means to tlilreby operate said meter to register the ca 7. In a telephone substation, talking equipment and suitable circuits therefor, a meter for said substation, a calling device for said substation normally` inoperative, a mechanical device for operating said meter no1*- nially inoperative to operate said meter, a

uish button for bringing said mechanical evice into operative engagement with said meter and for rendering said calling device o erative, a. magnet for holding said mec anical device in o erative relation to said device, and means or operating said niagnet to release said mechanical device to operate said meter.

8. In a telephone substatiomtalking equipment and suitable circuits therefor, a meter for said substation, a calling device for said station normally short circnited, a mechanical device. for operating said meter normally inoperative to operate said meter. a normally short circuited resistance for rendering said substation inoperative for all operations except listening in, a pushbutton,

means whereb when said button is pressed the mechanica device -is brought into o erative relation with said meter, and the s ort circuits are removed fromsaid calling device and resistance, and whereby when said button is released, the short circuit is restored about saidresistance, and means `for controlling said mechanical device to operate Said meter.

9. In a telephone substation, talking equipment and suitable circuits therefor, a meter for said substation, a calling device for said station normally short circuited,a mechanical device for operating .said meter normally inoperative to oper'ate Vsaid meter, a normally short circuited resistance for ren dering said substation inoperative for all operations except listening in, apush button, means whereby when said button is pressed the mechanical device is brought into o erative relation with said meter, and the s ort circuits are removed from said calling d evice and resistance, and whereby when said button is released, the short circuit Vis restored about said resistance, a magnet for maintaining said mechanical device m operative relation with said meter and means for operating said magnet to allow said meter to be operated.

10. In a telephone substation, talking equipment and suitable circuits therefor, u meter for said substation, a callin device for said .station` normally short clrcuited, means controlled by said device for extending a connection from said substation to a called subscriber, a mechanicalv device for operating said meter normally inoperative to operate said meter, a 'normally short circuited resistance for rendering said substation inoperative for all operations exce t listenin in, a push button means where y when sald button is pressed the mechanical device is brought into o erative relation with said meter, and the s ort circuits are removed from said calling device and resistance, and whereby when said button is released, the short circuit is restored about said resistance, a magnet for maintaining said mechanical device in operative relation with said meter, and means controlled by `the called subscriber for operating said magnet to release said mechanism to operate said meter.

11. In a telephone substation, talking equipment and suitable circuits therefor, a meter for said substation, a calling device for said substation normally inoperative, a mechanical device for operating said meter normally inoperative to operate said meter, a push button for bringing said mechanical device into operative engagement with said meterv and for rendering said calling device operative, a polarized magnet for holding said mechanical device in o rative relation to Said device, and means or reversing the current in said magnet to release said mechanical device to operate said meter.

Signed by me at Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, this 17th day of December, 1917.

JOHN ERICKSON. 

